When THE AVENGERS assemble next year on a soundstage in Manhattan Beach, it looks like they'll be introducing moviegoers to the third incarnation of Bruce Banner in as many films - even though Academy Award-nominated actor Edward Norton is apparently eager to reprise his role as the gamma ray-ed scientist.
According to our good friend Drew McWeeny at HitFix, Marvel Studios has opted to cast an "unknown" in the role of Banner. As for whether this is a result of Marvel Studios' selective frugality or something else... well, I can't get a straight answer at the moment.
What I do know is this: you only get one chance to make THE AVENGERS. So why not make it an all-star affair? Though I wasn't a huge fan of Louis Leterrier's THE INCREDIBLE HULK, Norton's portrayal of Banner was emotionally true to my memory of the comic book (as well as the CBS television show). He wasn't slumming. The character meant something to him. And while I wouldn't list it among his finest performances, I can't imagine an unknown walking into THE AVENGERS and outdoing one of the most talented actors of my generation.
Look, Marvel's going to spend a ton of money on THE AVENGERS, so I understand their desire to cut costs wherever possible. But if Norton wants to be a part of the film (and doesn't want to fuck with the script), why recast? The build-up to THE AVENGERS has been a long, involved process - one that encompasses THE INCREDIBLE HULK. Shouldn't continuity matter at this point? Especially when you're not dumping a problematic actor for a better one (as was the case with Howard-to-Cheadle in IRON MAN 2).?
I'm not as passionate about this as Drew, but if Norton wants in, let him in. You've come this far, Marvel. Don't cut corners on THE AVENGERS.
